What Are the 5 Major Healing Properties of Coriander?

January 26, 2010

Coriander is widely used in Indian cooking and for garnishing. Some of us have it everyday but are we really aware of the wondrous properties of this herb? I guess not. Let's read on to know the benefits of coriander.

Before we really start let's first know more about this herb:

Coriander was originally found in the Mediterranean region where it was cultivated since time immemorial. Now it is commonly grown and sold in North Africa, Europe, South America, China, Thailand, Malaysia and entire India.

Coriander is an annual as well as a perennial herb. It is upright, nice smelling, redolent herb that grows up to a height of 30 to 90 cm with soft branches. The stem of this herb is infirm, smooth and green in colour.

Coriander is loaded with several nutrients. Coriander is made up of 86.3% water, 3.3% protein nutrition, 0.6% of fat, 2.3% mineral, 1.2% fiber from food and about 6.3% carbohydrates for each hundred grams. Coriander is rich in several vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, thiamine, niacin, phosphorus, carotene, riboflavin, vitamin C, potassium, sodium as well as oxalic acid.

Coriander has several healing properties which includes:

1. In Ayurveda Coriander is used to correct Pitta Body Dosha
The leaves of coriander are acerbic, astringent, redolent, anodyne as well as anti inflammatory. Coriander leaves make the stomach strong and enhances its activities, reduce flatulence, increase and improve secretion of urine and also provide relief in fever. Coriander is aphrodisiac in nature, it aids in the removal of mucus from the lung tubes. Coriander is also used in curing offensive breath, bleeding from nose, bleeding of the gums, severe conjunctivitis, hiccups, inflammation, festering, piles, jaundice and toothache. The seeds of this herb are used to bring down fever and cool the body. The juice of this herb is extremely useful in curing several nutritional deficiencies such as that of Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2 and Vitamin C.

2. Coriander is used to cure digestive problems
Just one single tbsp of the juice of this herb mixed with fresh buttermilk is helpful in curing ailments related to digestion such as indigestion, hepatitis, nausea, dysentery, fever in typhoid as well as inflammatory bowel disease. Dried coriander herb is useful in curing acidity, extreme dysentery and diarrhea. A paste of chutney made by using dried coriander herb, green chilies, ginger paste, grated coconut and seedless black grapes is an excellent cure for stomach ache caused by indigestion.

3. Used to cure small pox
One tsp of freshly squeezed coriander juice mixed with couple of banana seeds when taken at least once in a day for a week is extremely effective against small pox. Herb specialists recommend putting 2 drops of fresh coriander juice in eyes to safeguard against eye damage when suffering from small pox.

4. Reducing High Cholesterol Levels:
If you drink coriander water continuously for a few days, it is extremely helpful in controlling cholesterol. This happens because it is an excellent diuretic and it also stimulates the kidney functions. To prepare coriander water boil dry coriander seeds, strain when the water is cool and drink.

5. Coriander is used to control an excess of menstrual flow
Boil seeds of coriander in water. Strain the water and drink when the water is lukewarm. Relief from excessive flow is experienced in about four days.